Soccer Spartans look to return to winning ways

Wednesday

If the soccer Spartans of 2018 can mirror how the Moberly boys team performed in the fall of 2014, that would certainly suit fifth year head coach Chris Buckman and Spartan fans just fine.

That was the season in which Moberly enjoyed a glorious journey to reaching the Class 2 state quarterfinals. The program won both a North Central Missouri Conference crown and a district title en route to posting a memorable 21-5 overall record.

Unfortunately for Buckman (51-65-1 record in 4 yrs), his 5-year assistant side kick Will Beaudoin along with Ben Hays returning for his second year on the coaching staff, the Moberly varsity boys soccer program has moved in the opposite direction.

With the start of the 2018 campaign set to kick into action Aug. 29 at home against conference foe Marshall, the soccer Spartans are hungry to snap the program's three-year losing skid .

In addition, this season's regiment of Spartans will want to not repeat how last fall began in which Moberly got off to a rough start, losing seven consecutive games, and would be much more satisfied if they can reverse the numbers of a 5-16 record of a year ago and finishing 2-10 in the NCMC.

“This year we have the bulk of our goal scorers (Camron Hayes, Blake Martin, and Josh Price) from the 2017 season returning. We have also added junior Levi Black who should add some extra speed and strength to our midfield,” said coach Buckman. “We have a few talented freshman players (Charez Nichols, Connor Tenney, Chris Coonce and Will O’Loughlin) which have been working hard and practice and should be able to contribute to the offensive threat.”

Buckman and his staff have 24 athletes to work with this season, but the only seniors are Camron Hayes and Blake Martin, both are four-year varsity starters that play up front. There are seven juniors and sophomores, and eight freshmen joining the ranks.

“As a team will are fortunate enough to have several players that can put the ball in the net. So instead of relying on only one or two players we are working on creating scoring opportunities from a wide variety of positions on the field. “

Hayes, the program's leading scorer these past two seasons, likely will switch back and forth playing forward and midfielder.

“I like playing the midfield. It forces me to see more of the field better, and I am able to look at both the defense and offense to help them make adjustments when it is needed,” Camron said.

The shifty-footed Spartan netted 19 goals his junior year and has 34 attached to his name for Moberly before this season gets underway.

Hayes said he began playing soccer at the age of 5 with the Moberly Area Soccer Association and two years later he was recruited by MASA coaches to participate in its Storm program that targets advanced skilled players to participate on teams having highly talented athletes that will travel across the state and compete in tournaments. He also gives credit to time he spends with Columbia-based club teams such as Columbia United during the off-season where he is better able to hone and polish his soccer skills while working alongside athletes such as himself.

“Soccer is a sport that seems to come natural to me. I pick up and learn skills easily and able to go out and perform at a high level. I think my play has allowed me to stand out among most other soccer players on the field, and I am not trying to be arrogant about it,” said Hayes. “For me, I think my speed and agility helps me, and I often work on my foot skills and touches on the ball at variable speeds. It just happens that way.”

Josh Price , a junior, and Levi Black, along with freshman Charez Nichols could be seen switching duties as forward or midfielder as well. Connor Tenney, Chris Coonce and Will O'Loughlin will also join in the mix as midfielders reported coach Buckman.

“I feel that Blake and I really connect well together when we're on the field. It's almost as if we don't have to say anything to one another when we're moving the ball because we know what the other one wants to do with the ball and we instantly react,” said Hayes. “My younger brother, Charez, is a freshman on the team and the two of us really connect well with one another too. He can be stubborn at times, but he's young and he's my little brother.”

Defensively, sophomore Andrew Imgarten will defend the posts as starting goalkeeper. Buckman said Ross Ley, Jalen Redburn and Landon Stone are projected to be starting defenders but their position on the field had not been determined as of Tuesday. Coach Buckman also said Isaiah Lopez, Caleb Hess and Juan Flores are contending strong for the remaining defensive positions.

“Our team's biggest challenge this year will be on the defensive side of the game. The team will work on playing a stronger team defensive and we’ve been working with our back four players on better containing of the man on the ball, cutting off the open passes, communication, and reading the game,” Buckman said.

The annual Spartan Soccer Invitational is held Sept. 13-14 and this event typically attracts seven schools, and Moberly will once again make a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks area to participate in the Laker Shootout held at Camdenton.

For these next two soccer seasons Moberly will is assigned to Class 2 District 8 by the Missouri State High School Activities Association with the likes of Mexico, Kirksville and Missouri Military Academy of Mexico.

“I think we have a pretty young team again this season, and we have quite a bit of things to work on. We do have some nice strengths, and I feel it's our offense. I think we have guys who can move the ball and place it pretty well up the field, contain it and can create scoring opportunities for different guys,” added Camron Hayes. “Because we have quite a few younger kids, us upperclassmen will need to work harder to bring them up to speed and develop good team chemistry, ringing everything together. I don't think this will happen early or at the start of our season to be honest, but I do believe our team will progress . We will become stronger my mid-season. I have high-hopes for the players on this year's team, and I will do what I can to help out to make them better.”

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